[formalsystems]

I agree with the sentiment of working for oneself, some people are just wired with that kind of independence. However I wouldn't go so far as to say startup founders are just at another level of motivation - the successful ones that I know and have worked for are at another level of maturity in their thinking and approach to product development.

Ask an engineer to build something and they will think of the twenty features which will make a compelling product, and the great ones will work day and night to deliver them. A great startup CEO will identify the three features that get the first customer, then roadmap the remaining features in conjunction with sales, marketing, and hiring.

Great CEOs know how to build teams and solve hard problems, usually from years of experience and failures. It's hardly ever as simple as reading a book or overcoming some mental hurdles.